lenny

Journey Through Grief

user image

Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will learn what grief means by defining it together and exploring related emotions. They will identify personal feelings, recognize grief-related emotions, and express their thoughts through drawing.

Teaching grief awareness helps students understand and articulate difficult emotions, builds empathy among peers, and lays the foundation for healthy coping strategies throughout the program.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and expressive activities.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Check-In Circle

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle.
  • Invite each student to share one word describing how they feel today.
  • Acknowledge all responses to build a safe environment.

Step 2

Main Activity: Defining Grief

10 minutes

Step 3

Discussion: Recognizing Emotions

10 minutes

  • Ask students: “What kinds of feelings might come with grief?”
  • Use the Feelings Chart Poster to identify and label emotions.
  • Encourage students to add sticky notes with personal examples to the poster.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Reflection Drawing

5 minutes

  • Distribute drawing paper and crayons.
  • Invite students to draw a feeling they associate with grief.
  • Collect drawings to review next session.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Journey Through Grief Session 1: What Is Grief?

• Welcome to our first grief support session!
• Today we’ll learn what grief is and start to explore our feelings.
• This is a safe, respectful space for everyone.

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and briefly explain that this series will help them explore and understand feelings after a loss. Emphasize that this is a safe space where all feelings are valid.

Session 1 Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  1. Define what grief means
  2. Identify feelings related to grief
  3. Express their thoughts through drawing

Read each objective aloud and check that students understand the terms “identify,” “recognize,” and “express.”

Warm-Up: Check-In Circle

• Sit in a circle.
• Share one word that describes how you feel today.
• Listen and acknowledge each person’s word.

Explain that everyone will share one word about how they feel right now. Model with your own word first.

Defining Grief

• Grief is the strong feelings we have after a loss.
• Feelings can include sadness, anger, confusion, or even relief.
• Grief is different for everyone.

Show the physical Grief Definition Cards as you talk through each one.

Feelings Chart Activity

• Look at the Feelings Chart Poster.
• What words describe feelings you might have during grief?
• Add your ideas with sticky notes.

Display or point to the Feelings Chart Poster. Invite students to come up and place ideas, words, or synonyms around the chart.

Discussion: Recognizing Emotions

• What feelings came up when we talked about grief?
• Which feelings surprise you?
• How do you know when you’re feeling sad or angry?

Guide discussion using prompts. Encourage quieter students to share by inviting them gently.

Cool-Down: Reflection Drawing

• Take a sheet of paper and crayons.
• Draw a feeling you associate with grief.
• Use colors and shapes that match your emotion.

Provide drawing supplies. Remind students there’s no right or wrong way to draw feelings—this is personal.

Closing & Next Steps

• Thank you for sharing today!
• Today we defined grief and identified related feelings.
• Next time we’ll talk about healthy ways to cope.

Praise the effort and courage of everyone. Preview next session’s topic: coping strategies.

lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Students will identify healthy coping strategies for grief, practice selected techniques, and reflect on how these strategies affect their emotions.

Equipping students with coping strategies gives them tools to manage grief, reduces overwhelming feelings, and supports emotional resilience.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on practice and reflective discussion.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle
  • Distribute the Feelings Check-In Worksheet
  • Invite students to circle or color feelings they’ve experienced this week
  • Briefly share one feeling aloud with the group

Step 2

Introduction: Coping Strategies

8 minutes

  • Show the Coping Strategy Cards one by one
  • Read each strategy aloud and explain how it can help when feeling grief
  • Ask students if they’ve tried any and what they noticed

Step 3

Activity: Strategy Practice Stations

12 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups
  • Set up three stations: guided breathing, stress ball squeezing, and journaling
  • Provide instructions at each station (refer to Coping Strategy Cards)
  • Rotate groups every 4 minutes so each student tries all strategies

Step 4

Cool-Down: Reflection Journaling

5 minutes

  • Return to circle seating
  • Distribute reflection journals
  • Invite students to write or draw which strategy they liked and how it made them feel
  • Collect journals or invite volunteers to share their reflections
lenny

Slide Deck

Journey Through Grief Session 2: Coping Strategies

• Welcome to session 2!
• Today we’ll learn and practice healthy coping strategies for grief.
• Feel free to explore and share your thoughts.

Welcome back! Remind students that today we’ll practice healthy ways to cope with grief and that it’s okay to try different strategies until you find what works best.

Session 2 Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  1. Identify healthy coping strategies for grief
  2. Practice selected techniques
  3. Reflect on how these strategies affect their feelings

Read each objective aloud and check for understanding. Clarify any vocabulary (identify, practice, reflect).

Warm-Up: Feelings Check-In

• Sit in a circle and take out your Feelings Check-In Worksheet.
• Circle or color the feelings you’ve experienced this week.
• Share one feeling and why you chose it.

Model how to complete the Feelings Check-In Worksheet first. Encourage students to be honest and remind them there are no right or wrong answers.

Introduction: Coping Strategies

• Here are some strategies to help when grief feels big:
– Deep breathing exercises
– Using a stress ball
– Journaling thoughts and feelings
• Discuss how each can help calm or release hard emotions.

Show each Coping Strategy Card and briefly demonstrate or describe it. Ask students if they’ve tried any before and what happened.

Activity: Strategy Practice Stations

Divide into three stations (4 minutes each):

  1. Guided breathing (follow breathing prompts)
  2. Stress-ball squeezing (focus on tension release)
  3. Journaling (write or draw in your journal)
    Rotate until each group tries all.

Explain station rotations clearly: each group spends 4 minutes at each station, then rotates. Assign a helper at each station if possible.

Cool-Down: Reflection Journaling

• Take out your reflection journals.
• Write or draw:
– Which strategy did you like?
– How did it make you feel?
• Share one insight if you’d like.

Gather students back in the circle. Emphasize that all reflections are personal and valuable. Offer prompts if students need help.

Closing & Next Steps

• Great job exploring coping tools today!
• Next time we’ll talk about sharing memories and supporting each other.
• See you at session 3.

Praise effort and openness. Preview next session: sharing memories and peer support. Remind students this is a supportive group.

lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Students will share memories of loved ones, create personalized memory boxes to honor those they miss, and practice offering peer support.

Sharing memories helps students acknowledge their feelings, fosters connection, and teaches them how to support one another through grief, building empathy and resilience.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Collaborative storytelling and hands-on creation.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print and cut out the Memory Box Template
  • Print, cut, and shuffle the Peer Support Prompt Cards
  • Collect empty tissue boxes for each student
  • Organize glue sticks, stickers, magazine cutouts, markers, and crayons at each seat
  • Arrange seating in a circle for group sharing

Step 1

Warm-Up: Memory Sharing Circle

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle.
  • Invite each student to share one special memory of a person or pet they miss.
  • Encourage listeners to show empathy by nodding and giving supportive looks.

Step 2

Activity: Memory Box Creation

15 minutes

  • Distribute an empty tissue box and the Memory Box Template to each student.
  • Provide glue sticks, stickers, magazine cutouts, markers, and crayons.
  • Invite students to decorate their boxes and add drawings or words that remind them of their loved one.
  • Circulate to offer help and positive feedback.

Step 3

Discussion: Peer Support Sharing

5 minutes

  • Pair students and give each pair a Peer Support Prompt Card.
  • In pairs, take turns reading the prompt and discussing ways to support a friend who feels sad.
  • Prompt examples include: “What could you say to help a friend who is crying?” or “How can you show you care someone who misses someone?”.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Reflection and Closing

5 minutes

  • Return to the full circle.
  • Invite a few volunteers to share their memory boxes or one supportive idea they discussed.
  • Summarize: sharing memories honors those we miss and peer support helps us feel less alone.
  • Preview Session 4: building hope and looking forward.
lenny

Slide Deck

Journey Through Grief Session 3: Sharing Memories

• Welcome to session 3!
• Today we’ll honor memories and practice peer support.

Welcome back! Remind students today we’ll share memories of loved ones and learn how to support each other through grief.

Session 3 Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  1. Share personal memories of someone they miss
  2. Create a Memory Box to honor those memories
  3. Practice offering support using prompt cards

Read the objectives and ensure students know what they’ll accomplish today.

Warm-Up: Memory Sharing Circle

• Sit in a circle.
• Share one special memory of a person or pet you miss.
• Listen with empathy—nod and show you care.

Invite each student to think of one special memory. Model first to set the tone.

Activity: Memory Box Creation

• Take an empty tissue box and your Memory Box Template.
• Use glue sticks, stickers, magazine cutouts, markers, and crayons to decorate.
• Add drawings or words that remind you of your loved one.

Distribute materials and encourage creativity. Circulate to assist and affirm.

Discussion: Peer Support Prompts

• In pairs, use your Peer Support Prompt Cards.
• Take turns reading a prompt and discussing how to help a friend who is sad.
• Example prompts:
– “What could you say to someone who is crying?”
– “How can you show care to someone who misses someone?”

Pair students and hand out prompt cards. Model reading one prompt and responding.

Cool-Down: Reflection and Sharing

• Return to our circle.
• Think of one thing you learned today about memories or support.
• Share your insight or show your decorated box.

Gather the group and invite volunteers. Affirm every contribution.

Closing & Next Steps

• Great work sharing and supporting each other!
• Today we honored memories and practiced peer support.
• Next time: building hope and looking forward.

Praise students for their openness and creativity. Preview that next session we’ll focus on building hope and looking forward.

lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Lesson Plan

Students will explore the concept of hope through guided imagery, create personalized hope stones with affirming words or images, set a small goal for the week, and make a group pledge to support one another.

Building hope helps students focus on positive possibilities after loss, strengthens resilience, and fosters a supportive classroom community as they look forward together.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Experiential visualization, creative expression, and reflective discussion.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Guided Imagery

5 minutes

  • Invite students to sit comfortably and close their eyes
  • Read the Guided Imagery Script slowly, guiding them to envision a safe, hopeful place
  • Encourage deep breaths and quiet reflection
  • Afterward, ask for a couple of volunteers to share a word or image they experienced

Step 2

Activity: Hope Stone Creation

15 minutes

  • Distribute one smooth stone and a Hope Stones Template to each student
  • Ask students to choose a word, symbol, or drawing that represents hope for them
  • Use markers to decorate their stones directly or to sketch on the template before transferring
  • Once complete, place each stone into its cloth bag for safekeeping

Step 3

Goal-Setting: Small Steps

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Goal-Setting Worksheet
  • Guide students to write or draw one small, realistic goal for the coming week (e.g., talking to a friend, practicing deep breaths)
  • Encourage them to note one simple action they can take toward that goal

Step 4

Cool-Down: Group Pledge & Closing

5 minutes

  • Reconvene in a circle and invite each student to share either their hope word or their goal
  • Lead the group in a pledge: “We will support each other, remember hope, and take small steps every day.” Have students repeat together.
  • Thank everyone for participating and affirm their courage in looking forward
lenny

Slide Deck

Journey Through Grief Session 4: Building Hope

• Welcome to our final session!
• Today we’ll explore hope, set goals, and support each other.

Welcome back! Explain that today’s session will help you envision hope and create a tangible reminder for tomorrow.

Session 4 Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  1. Explore hope through guided imagery
  2. Create a personalized Hope Stone
  3. Set a small goal and make a group pledge

Read objectives aloud and ensure everyone understands the terms “explore,” “create,” “set,” and “pledge.”

Warm-Up: Guided Imagery

• Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
• Listen as I guide you to a safe, hopeful place.
• Think about what you saw or felt.
• Share a word or image you experienced.

Guide students to close their eyes and breathe deeply. Read the Guided Imagery Script slowly. Invite volunteers afterward.

Activity: Creating Your Hope Stone

• Take a smooth stone and your Hope Stones Template.
• Choose a word, symbol, or drawing that represents hope.
• Decorate your stone with markers.
• Place it in your cloth bag to keep it safe.

Distribute smooth stones and templates. Encourage choosing meaningful words or symbols. Demonstrate decorating one example stone.

Goal-Setting: Your Small Step

• Use the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
• Write or draw one small, realistic goal for this week.
• Note one simple action you can take toward that goal.

Hand out the Goal-Setting Worksheet. Prompt realistic, achievable goals and model one example.

Cool-Down: Group Pledge

• Share your hope word or small goal with the group.
• Repeat after me:
“We will support each other,
remember hope,
and take small steps every day.”
• Thank you for your courage and participation!

Invite each student to share either their hope word or their goal. Lead the group pledge together.

lenny

Lesson Plan

Speedy Sonic Morning Adventure

Engage a kindergarten Tier 3 student in a 15-minute Sonic-themed morning routine that builds excitement, supports smooth transitions, targets specific behaviors (independent greeting, coat/backpack off, lunchbox stowed, calm seating), and uses clear visual supports.

A personalized, gamified entry routine leverages the student’s interest in Sonic to boost motivation, reduce anxiety at arrival, promote independence in following classroom entrance steps, and reinforce positive behaviors.

Audience

Kindergarten Tier 3 Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Sonic-themed gamified entrance routine

Materials

Prep

Prepare Sonic Adventure Materials

5 minutes

  • Print and laminate the Sonic Morning Adventure Chart and ensure it includes distinct Start Line, Speed Zone, and Finish Line visuals.
  • Print copies of the Sonic Speed-Start Checklist with spaces for sticker rewards.
  • Create and laminate separate Zone Cards labeled “Start Line,” “Speed Zone,” and “Finish Line” with matching Sonic icons, and attach them to the chart.
  • Gather Sonic-themed stickers and place in a container by the door.
  • Set up a small basket near the entrance for completed checklists.

Step 1

Welcome Dash

2 minutes

  • Stand at the door and greet the student by name with a high-five or fist bump.
  • Play a short Sonic ring sound or use a chime to signal the start of their adventure.
  • Remind the student the goal: “Greet, get ready, and race to your seat!”

Step 2

Adventure Chart Review

3 minutes

  • Guide the student to the Sonic Morning Adventure Chart.
  • Point out each laminated zone card: Start Line (greet teacher), Speed Zone (remove coat & backpack), Finish Line (find seat).
  • Have the student move the Sonic marker to the Start Line to begin.

Step 3

Speed-Start Checklist

5 minutes

  • Hand the student the Sonic Speed-Start Checklist.
  • Student completes these independent steps:
    1. Hang up coat
    2. Empty backpack
    3. Stow lunchbox
    4. Sit at desk
  • After each step, student places a Sonic-themed sticker on the checklist to track success.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Sonic Pose & Reward

5 minutes

  • Ask the student to strike their best Sonic running pose at their desk to celebrate completing the routine.
  • Provide a final Sonic-themed sticker reward for completing all tasks.
  • Place the completed checklist in the basket and transition to the next activity with praise for their independence.
lenny

Worksheet

Sonic Morning Routine Assessment

Instructions: Use this form to record the student’s independence during the Sonic Morning Routine. Complete once before implementing the routine (Pre-Test) and once after (Post-Test).

Pre-Test

Date: _______________ Teacher: _______________

  1. Greet teacher independently (high-five/fist bump): Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  2. Move Sonic marker to Start Line: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  3. Hang up coat: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  4. Empty backpack: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  5. Stow lunchbox: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  6. Sit at desk calmly: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  7. Overall on-task behavior during routine: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


Post-Test

Date: _______________ Teacher: _______________

  1. Greet teacher independently (high-five/fist bump): Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  2. Move Sonic marker to Start Line: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  3. Hang up coat: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  4. Empty backpack: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  5. Stow lunchbox: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  6. Sit at desk calmly: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


  7. Overall on-task behavior during routine: Yes ☐ No ☐
    Notes:


lenny
lenny
Journey Through Grief • Lenny Learning